The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is strengthening services across all areas of its work with a first-time $25,000 general operating grant from The Boston Foundation, awarded through the Latino Equity Fund.

As a general operating grant, the funding is not restricted to a specific project and supports the organization’s overall work, allowing MAPS to use the funds where they are most needed, including for day-to-day operating expenses.

“We are extremely grateful for the trust placed in us by The Boston Foundation and the leadership team at the Latino Equity Fund,” said MAPS’ CEO, Paulo Pinto, MPA. “Their support of MAPS’ mission strengthens our ability to provide critical, culturally and linguistically appropriate services to all, and recognizes our organization’s decades-long experience and commitment to building healthy and successful communities. We hope this is the beginning of a long-standing partnership.”

The Latino Equity Fund (LEF) at the Boston Foundation is a community fund dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations that serve the basic needs and advance the well-being of Latinx families and individuals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“We are excited for the opportunity to support MAPS and Paulo Pinto’s leadership,” said Carlos Muñoz-Cadilla, PhD, Community Impact Officer at the Latino Equity Fund. “MAPS is an anchor organization that has been providing essential services to vulnerable communities across Greater Boston, including the growing Brazilian and Portuguese speaking population, for decades. At LEF, we believe that it is imperative to rally behind organizations like MAPS, especially at a time when so many threats to the social safety net negatively impact the well-being of the Latino community.”

MAPS has served the Portuguese-speaking communities and others of all backgrounds in Massachusetts since 1970, supporting almost 28,000 people in Fiscal Year 2025. The organization offers free health and social services through its six offices in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, Framingham, and Lowell.

MAPS programs include Immigrant Integration, Elder Services, Child and Family Clinical Services, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services, HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevention and Screening, Short-Term Mental Health Support, and others.